Ranking every draft pick in Texans’ history

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The 2006 draft was the Texans’ best as they selected Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Eric Winston and Owen Daniels. (Kevin Fujii/Houston Chronicle)

Ranking every draft choice in Texans history was an interesting – not to mention impossible – undertaking.

Many draft choices never made the team. Some made the team but contributed little. Injuries hampered the careers of others.

A lot of draft choices were ranked based on their potential because they haven’t been with the Texans long enough.

Ranking the worst was easy because some premium picks turned out to be huge busts. Remember a pair of third-round picks – defensive tackle Charles Hill in 2002 and outside linebacker Sam Montgomery in 2013?

Ranking the best was easy.

For instance, nobody can make a legitimate argument against receiver Andre Johnson, the third overall pick in 2003, being the best draft choice in Texans history. He’s the first Texans player who’ll have a bona-fide chance to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

No one can dispute defensive end J.J. Watt – after only three seasons – ranking behind Johnson. Watt’s impact has been so profound he has to be second because he’s considered the best defensive player in the NFL.

After Johnson and Watt, it gets dicey.

Performance, honors and longevity impacted the rankings of players three through 10.

Tight end Owen Daniels was voted to two Pro Bowls during an eight-year career that ended with him ranking second to Johnson in career receptions.

Defensive end Mario Williams became the team’s career sack leader during his six years with the Texans before Buffalo made him the highest-paid defensive player in history.

Left tackle Duane Brown has been voted to the last two Pro Bowls and is still going strong. If inside linebacker Brian Cushing bounces back from back-to-back seasons ruined by knee injuries, he’s got a chance to move up in subsequent rankings.

Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans and right tackle Eric Winston were selected in the second and third rounds in 2006, the best draft in team history.

Chester Pitts, a second-round pick in 2002, played tackle and guard during an impressive career.

Even though cornerback Kareem Jackson has been a lightning rod for controversy since being a first-round pick in 2010, he’s improved as a player, and he’s been durable entering his fifth season.

The list is subjective, of course, so if you disagree, feel free to let us know.